Note: Up until this post, I’ve kept separate blogs for different content. However, my goal is to truly share ourselves with you on this blog, so [from now on] I’ll be posting the latest work, inspiration, DIY projects, behind the scenes, and personal content.
A lot of people ask us: “So, how did you get into [wedding] photography?” I usually respond with the short version: “I started photographing as a hobby but, after photographing a wedding… I fell in love with photographing couples. Chad and I started photographing together after our own wedding, because it was something we enjoyed doing together – and we got to see each other on the weekends.”
Now, what I say is true – but I’ve left out how I actually got into photography. Well, in all honesty, I really have no idea what first got me into photography. I supposed you could say that it fell into my life from pretty much every angle. I simply couldn’t get enough of it and I clung to it + never let it go.
I never grew up with the set goal of, one day, becoming a photographer. Instead, I grew up as a bit of a quirky, Star Trek loving computer nerd. My dad was a computer engineer and, when I was five, he spent countless hours excitedly showing me the interior of his desktop computer as he was swapping hardware. Inevitably (after we were rockin’ our first dial-up connection), I fell into the world of web & interactive media design.
Separate from my love of computers - ever since I can remember, I have always loved art. I certainly wasn’t an artistic genius, but I would pencil sketch just about anything and everything (with the occasional dab in watercolor). Eventually, I decided to combine the two things I loved dearly (computers + art) and I acquired my very first Wacom tablet + pen.
In late high school, a close friend of mine (Josie, that’s you!) had a growing love for photography. We had photo adventures (test shoots) – dressing up in random attire and running through fields at some local park on a sunny day. Meanwhile, April (a co-worker of mine at my late high school/college job who used to model) urged me to gather a modeling portfolio together. This was something that completely blew my mind. (I mean, me, modeling… really?!)
Well, below, are some photos from past modeling photo sessions…
Above (left): A photo from Josie & I’s first-ever photo adventure (and I sure do miss my long hair).
Above (right): Photo session with DC-based commercial photographer, Paul Kline.
Above: Modeling cultural-inspired bridal wear with four other lovely ladies.
Below: Modeling crochet hats for Soft Spoken on Etsy.
Being the shy girl (who normally sat, quietly, at the back of a classroom), I did not expect modeling to work for me. However, modeling actually turned out to be a lot of fun – and it really forced me to loosen up and become more assertive. Unfortunately, it wasn’t something I had a huge passion for. I, instead, found myself becoming more and more interested in the photography aspect of things.
One grand day, my handy dandy point-and-shoot went completely MIA and I was devastated. I searched for weeks and it was absolutely nowhere to be found. With the encouragement of my father, I saved up my spare college job earnings for my very first entry-level DSLR camera kit: a Canon Rebel XTi (400D) + 18-55mm f/3.5 stock lens (shortly thereafter, I replaced this lens with a Canon 50mm f/1.8).
From that very moment I received my new camera in the mail, I became obsessed with it. After pouring through the camera manual and chatting with my photographer friend, Sean Scheidt (amazing/inspirational Baltimore-based fashion photographer), I decided to tackle photographing in Manual mode. I took photographs of everything (food, still life, landscapes, self-portraits…). Finally, after a few months of debating (as mentioned, I was shy), I gathered up the courage to ask some friends if they’d mind having their photo taken…
I was pleasantly surprised with the support + feedback I received and decided to design a simple website to serve as my online portfolio. Although I was head-over-heels with it, I had no intention of pursuing photography as a full-time career and intended on keeping it as a past-time… (to be continued)
Check back soon for the next installment of this mini-series. I’d greatly appreciate any feedback or comments below with your thoughts and/or what you’d be interested in reading about (or directly message me here)!
Happy Monday!
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